Snap on pliers

[Chuck122]

Are they stiff? I am looking to buy pliers but before I do I would like to know how they feel.
When new are they stiff?
Do they break in?
When/if they do, do they "fall" open or simply open easily but not without assistance.
I own a pair of pwcs7 and they are kind of stiff, wich I like for crimping/stripping, but the joint is different to most pliers so I think the questions are still valid

 

[devoncoolman]

They will loosen up over time. I have tons on snapon pliers. Very good product. Channel lock and knipex also make nice pliers.

 

[celticbhoy]

To be honest, i've used snap on pliers a lot in the past, mainly at school, and I just do not think they're worth the price, plus they were a little uncomfortable in my hands. I much prefer Channellock pliers. Like all pliers though, (not sure about spring loaded pliers) they will loosen over time.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

They'll loosen up with time and use.

I picked up a set of the talon grip line. Nice pliers. The side cutters look to be improved over the ones I bought many years ago

 

[celticbhoy]

They'll loosen up with time and use.

I picked up a set of the talon grip line. Nice pliers. The side cutters look to be improved over the ones I bought many years ago

What side cutters were those that you bought many years ago? Maybe the same ones I used, cause they weren't that good.

 

[ken w.]

I do like the Snap On pliers.Channellock and Knipnex are also great tools.They all loosen up after a while.I've have a pair if SO side cutters for over 30 years and they are quite loose and maybe a little wobbley but still cut cotter pins like they are new.I have no complaints with them.

 

[Chuck122]

I already own a lot of channellock but on my dikes the vinyl is starting to come off. No biggie for general use but I use mine for tire service and we always change the valve stem. Cut the base with dykes and pull on a new valve with a valve stem tool, putting the plier grips between the tool and the rim as protection. The channellock grips get cut up and it kind of annoys me. The snap on grips look more durable(any input on that?). It think I'm gonna buy the pl300cf kit.

 

[Dave455]

When new they are stiff, but they loosen up fairly quickly to the point where they simply open easily!

Snap On pliers are very expensive in the U.K. but I've used them a lot, including for repetive assembly tasks, and I think they are worth the money! I'm fortunate to have a couple of the older all steel handle types, which I consider to be the best ever made. The long nose will fall open now, but they are 20+ years old!

You sometimes get sets coming up on 'special' at a really good price! Worth acquiring such a set I reckon!

 

[bobcatdan]

I like their grips and the 3 position slip joints are great, other then that I don't find anything heads or tails better then other brands. This is coming from a guy who owns damn near every SO pliers.

 

[ChunkyLover53]

I like their grips and the 3 position slip joints are great, other then that I don't find anything heads or tails better then other brands. This is coming from a guy who owns damn near every SO pliers.

for the 3 position slip joint pliers. They are the only Snap On pair of pliers I own and I use them all the time.

 

[wise]

SO pliers I think are priced pretty fair. I personally prefer the Talon Grip set of Dykes, Needle nose and Slip Joint and if one of them is up to the task at hand I'll grab them over Channellocks. Nothing wrong at all with the Channel locks though, the SO just grip better.

Yes they come a little stiff, but they break in pretty quick.

 

[devoncoolman]

I already own a lot of channellock but on my dikes the vinyl is starting to come off. No biggie for general use but I use mine for tire service and we always change the valve stem. Cut the base with dykes and pull on a new valve with a valve stem tool, putting the plier grips between the tool and the rim as protection. The channellock grips get cut up and it kind of annoys me. The snap on grips look more durable(any input on that?). It think I'm gonna buy the pl300cf kit.

Personally i dont use my pliers as a cousin for the valve stem tool. I just pull straight up on the tool and that does the trick. Or buy the snapon valve stem installer. It comes with a plastic protector built into the tool to prevent wheel gauging.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

What side cutters were those that you bought many years ago? Maybe the same ones I used, cause they weren't that good.

Might be the same ones for all I know

They pair in question is currently MIA. The wife used them once to cut steel rod used to hold up under floor insulation. Left two little half holes in each jaw. They became great wire wire strippers for 12 gauge wire though.

I didn't have a good snappy guy to warranty them at the time. Really didn't feel right about warrantying them for that blunder at any rate.

X2 on the 3 position pliers. That's the schnitzle

 

[Murphy4570]

Snap-On pliers are sweet, and high quality. I have a bunch of them. Only thing that I consider better than them are Knipex brand stuff. Hergestellt im Deutschland!

 

[Chuck122]

Personally i dont use my pliers as a cousin for the valve stem tool. I just pull straight up on the tool and that does the trick. Or buy the snapon valve stem installer. It comes with a plastic protector built into the tool to prevent wheel gauging.

Yeah I have been doing that for a while now but still like the plier trick.. And looking for an excuse to buy pliers

 

[shampoop]

I have a handful of them and they are nice for sure. Don't remember what I paid for them, but they were 1/2 price. At full price though I doubt I would ever buy snapon pliers over brands like klein, nws, knipex, or channellock.

 

[Nanashi]

Fourth the slip joint pliers they grip like crazy glue. The grips on the so pliers are durable and comfy. The pliers are high quality and strong. I like my so pliers but damn I to wish they where cheaper.

 

[98ssuck]

I have a couple of pairs of them and I am happy with most of them. My 9" so slip joints are my go to pliers for almost everything. The needle nose are built well and have lots of control. I am not to impressed with the diagonal cutter they feel nice thou they are kinda meh at cutting. Has anyone tried the insulated needle nose?

 

[amlv20]

I have the basic three piece set with the three slot talon grip, needle nose and cutters.i got them because they were green.i absolutly love em, they are the best.i also have the pwsc7s and it is stiff, but the pliers are not that stiff and they break in but not to the point were they just wobble open.i had once bought a Mac ten piece plier set that came with two free long needle nose pliers, I don't even use them.occasionally I use the long needle nose to reach for something non magnetic that I dropped.but my three snappy s stay go with me in my cart.

 

[tyheuser]

There good pliers but not any better then any other usa pliers and a lot more money. I have a couple pairs I use all the time at work but they honestly they always remind me of being ripped off. The snap ons to me feel loose but not wobbley if that makes since. The above brands knipex or channel lock are where its at I honestly prefer them they just feel better to me, craftsman pliers are really good to there still made by western forge!

 

[amlv20]

I agree I still have some craftsman professional pliers black and gold and the black and red ones that are still just as good.

 

[B17E1943]

Can somebody provide a link to the S/O 3 position pliers? I don't know what you guys are referring to.

Thanks!

 

[metaleltr]

Can somebody provide a link to the S/O 3 position pliers? I don't know what you guys are referring to.

Thanks!

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=682927&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

47CF

 

[FastKat]

They'll loosen up with time and use.

I picked up a set of the talon grip line. Nice pliers. The side cutters look to be improved over the ones I bought many years ago

I like their grips and the 3 position slip joints are great, other then that I don't find anything heads or tails better then other brands. This is coming from a guy who owns damn near every SO pliers.

for the 3 position slip joint pliers. They are the only Snap On pair of pliers I own and I use them all the time.

I agree with these guys. The straight 3-position slip-joint pliers are without a doubt the best out there. The Talon Grip on the jaws, which is sort of a sharp diamond-knurled surface, grips way better than any other brand I've seen. Nobody else comes close. It holds tight turning left to right AND pulling or pushing. That is the only Snap-On tool I've paid retail for off the truck, and I did so gladly.

Also, the grips are nice and thick and seem to be durable, the 3 positions are helpful, and you can tell that they're solid - they don't really flex when you squeeze the handles.

 

[Jim C.]

There good pliers but not any better then any other usa pliers and a lot more money. I have a couple pairs I use all the time at work but they honestly they always remind me of being ripped off. The snap ons to me feel loose but not wobbley if that makes since. The above brands knipex or channel lock are where its at I honestly prefer them they just feel better to me, craftsman pliers are really good to there still made by western forge!

I agree. I have one old pair of snap ons that I inherited from my grandfather. They're okay, but in my opinion, not any better than my Channellocks or Craftsman pliers. I only started buying Channellocks recently, and I like them a lot. Prior to that, I used Craftsman pliers for years with no problems or complaints, and I still use them. I can't justify the snap on prices.

Jim C.

 

[B17E1943]

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=682927&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

47CF

Thank you! They are reasonably priced as Snap-on goes.

 

[Chuck122]

Thank you! They are reasonably priced as Snap-on goes.

Anything is reasonable to whoever is willing to pay the price.

 

[toddacimer]

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=682927&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

47CF

That's my go to pliers. They are great

 

[vintagefan]

for the 3 position slip joint pliers. They are the only Snap On pair of pliers I own and I use them all the time.

+1

For plain old multipurpose pliers, the 3 slot slipjoints are untouchable, nothing even close to them on the market, especially if you have large hands.

I also really love the 196CF, they are the newer style needlenose with the cutter and extra grippers on them.

Snap-on has some real gems in its pliers line, but I still go to Knipex for waterpump pliers, cobolts, and the pliers wrenches.

 

[mayhemman]

I already own a lot of channellock but on my dikes the vinyl is starting to come off. No biggie for general use but I use mine for tire service and we always change the valve stem. Cut the base with dykes and pull on a new valve with a valve stem tool, putting the plier grips between the tool and the rim as protection. The channellock grips get cut up and it kind of annoys me. The snap on grips look more durable(any input on that?). It think I'm gonna buy the pl300cf kit.

use the valve stem puller, its meant to pull/break it off, its all metal. don't worry about wearing out rubber handles.

 

[bobcatdan]

The one SO pliers to stay away from are their slip joints. I have an older 9 1/2" that is pretty nice and a newer 12" I bought to match it it. Big thick oxy jaws and handles are too wide. Damn near useless. On the other hand, the pipe wrench pliers like the pz1, pz2 and pz3 kick ***!

 

[mayhemman]

i have craftsmans,channelocks,snap on brand pliers.

i actually havn't needed anything better then my craftsmans except for channelocks when you need them they are the only ones that make em right.

what i have in snap on i don't use much and really don't like them compared to my craftsmans. the grips are ok, but seem too heavy for me at least on the neele nose and wire crimp/strip plier.

i also have a 90 degree needle nose that i like from snap on and i didnt buy it just because it was snap on. i bought that with a set of snap ring pliers which i think are well worth the money from snap on as they seem to hold up great.

i guess i don't put my pliers to extreme use and i don't expect them to replace wrenches or something, they do what they are designed to.

 

[Zurawskt]

My snap on 3 position pliers are never in my drawer! Always out and being put to work! Awesome pliers